To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the recognition of the bachelor of architecture degree currently accredited at Waterford Institute of Technology and University of Limerick in other EU member states to ensure that our graduates are recognised; if he has discussed the matter with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; when the request will be submitted to the EU for further consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41887/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand that the qualifications concerned have recently been prescribed by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in accordance with the Building Control Act, 2007, and that holders of those qualifications can now be registered by the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI), the regulating body of the architecture profession, under that Act. My Department is currently preparing the documentation required to notify the European Commission and other Member States of the recognition of these qualifications in the State and to request that they are listed in the relevant Annex of Directive 2005/36 on the recognition of professional qualifications. It is intended to send this notification in the coming weeks.